Mark McMorris nominated to Canadian Olympic team despite injury

VANCOUVER — Despite being in hospital with serious injuries suffered in a backcountry accident over the weekend, snowboard star Mark McMorris was provisionally nominated to Canada‘s team for the 2018 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old, who had a dominant comeback season following a gruesome leg injury last winter, had to be airlifted to Vancouver after going off a jump and crashing into some trees near Whistler, B.C., on Saturday.

McMorris suffered breaks to his jaw and left arm, a ruptured spleen, a stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures and a collapsed left lung.

The Regina native underwent two separate surgeries to control bleeding and repair the injuries to his jaw and arm.

Max Parrot of Bromont, Que., was also provisionally nominated to Canada’s 2018 Olympic team on Tuesday.

"It’s really unfortunate what happend to Mark," Parrot said during a news conference Tuesday. "I heard the news yesterday. Crazy that he had another accident this year after last year’s incident. He’s really not lucky."

Parrot said snowboarders are well aware of the risks they’re taking.

"We’re practising an extreme sport," he said. "But there’s not much you can do against a tree."

Parrot said last week before McMorris was injured that there’s a strong camaraderie among snowboarders.

"We’re all friends. We all ride together. We travel together," the 22-year-old said in a phone interview with The Canadian Press. "It’s really friendly."

While there is no timetable for McMorris’ recovery, Canada Snowboard executive director Patrick Jarvis said the Olympic bronze medallist will have to show he’s healthy before fully securing his spot for the Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, that begin Feb. 9, 2018.

"What it means for Mark is that based on his recovery and his rehabilitation … is his own desire and motivation to make the team next year," Jarvis said in a phone interview on Monday. "He would have to prove a return-to-competition readiness to ensure that he’s comfortable riding again, that he’s back to the level of prowess that he’s used to.

"All fingers crossed and we would certainly hope that Mark is able to do that. Certainly a little too early to speculate whether that will be probable or whether it’s still just in the realm of possible."

While they have been provisionally nominated for the 2018 Games through their standout performances this season, Parrot and McMorris — if he’s healthy — will still have to meet a minimum performance standard at an eligible event during the 2017-18 World Cup season to secure their spots. Their nominations are also subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the final allocation of Olympic quota spots.